 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Oct 20: A two-day national seminar titled "General Zorawar Singh: Revisiting his Life, Legacy, and Legendary Conquests of the Himalayan Territories" was inaugurated at the Brigadier Rajinder Singh Auditorium, University of Jammu. The seminar was organized by the Department of History, University of Jammu, in collaboration with the Maharaja Gulab Singh Research Centre, Jammu.
The program began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp and the recitation of "Manglacharan" by students from the Sanskrit department. The chief guest for the event was Dr. Karan Singh, former Member of Parliament, who commended the efforts of the Department of History, University of Jammu, and the Maharaja Gulab Singh Research Centre. He highlighted the consolidation of the region by General Zorawar Singh and the sacrifices made by the Dogras in the region. Dr. Karan Singh praised the first five Maharajas, starting with Maharaja Gulab Singh, and their contributions to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Dr. Karan Singh emphasized the multifaceted and valiant personality of General Zorawar Singh and the need to recognize his achievements and contributions in the curriculum of schools and higher institutions. He suggested that General Zorawar Singh's contributions should also be included in the syllabus of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and State Public Service Commission (PSC). Mementos in the form of Basohli paintings, recently recognized with the GI tag, were presented to the dignitaries by Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu, during the event.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Kuldeep C. Agnihotri, Former Vice-Chancellor, Central University, Himachal Pradesh, who spoke about the strategic importance of Jammu and Kashmir as an integral part of India. He emphasized General Zorawar Singh's role in reclaiming the cultural frontiers of India and the need to place the history of the region in a broader perspective.
Major General Gaurav Gautam, GOC, 10 Infantry Division, and Major General Vikram Singh Sekhon, GOC, 26 Infantry Division, were guests of honor and highlighted General Zorawar's legacy as a great warrior remembered across all sections of the Army.
Prof. Suman Jamwal, Head of the Department of History, University of Jammu, provided the rationale for the seminar in her welcome address and stressed the importance of bringing General Zorawar Singh into historical discourse. Prof. Shyam Narayan Lal, Seminar Convenor, introduced the seminar's theme and discussed General Zorawar Singh's contributions to the formation of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir and the neglected role he played in historical discourse.
The seminar was attended by distinguished members of the academic and civil society, journalists, students, and scholars from various universities, including the University of Jammu, Central University, IIT, IIMC, and others from the northern region.
The inaugural session was conducted by Dr. Jasleen Kour, and the vote of thanks was presented by Dr. Madhulika Singh. |
